Mother using ME while flying SW?

[BlueFairy]

My friend is flying in on SW with 2 small children, stroller, and luggage. She plans to use DME. Does she use luggage tags and get to skip baggage retrieval at MCO? Or must she collect her bags since she comes in on SW and transfer them to the bus. Any ideas on making this easier?
I remember standing in the ME checkin line forever in 2007 with DH, only 1 child, a stroller, and our luggage and it was still a juggling act. Is there a way to make this easier for her while traveling alone with kids?

Thanks!

 

[shoes99]

My friend is flying in on SW with 2 small children, stroller, and luggage. She plans to use DME. Does she use luggage tags and get to skip baggage retrieval at MCO? Or must she collect her bags since she comes in on SW and transfer them to the bus. Any ideas on making this easier?
I remember standing in the ME checkin line forever in 2007 with DH, only 1 child, a stroller, and our luggage and it was still a juggling act. Is there a way to make this easier for her while traveling alone with kids?

Thanks!

If she registers with DME, puts the yellow luggage tags on her checked luggage, she does not have to retrieve her bags when she arrives in Orlando. All airlines participate in DME on arrival in Orlando..
Excepetion: If she arrives on or after 10:00PM she has to retrieve her own bags..

 

[njb1148]

I usually fly SW and have always used ME, no problem. I got the luggage tags a few weeks before my trip and when I handed them over at my home airport, I did not see them again until they were in my room!!
I do not think that the resort will arrange for the bags to be transferred to SW when leaving, however. I don't think SW is a participating airline for that. We had to have them loaded onto the ME bus and then take them to the SW counter at Orlando Airport.

 

[Andrewj]

If you will ask me about it, I would suggest to you that expert advice is the best in this business. Hence you should take it seriously.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks everyone. Luckily she will meet her DH in Orlando after his meeting and he can help her with luggage on the return. Sounds like smooth sailing.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, even with SWA anything she tags with the yellow DME tags will be delivered to her resort room @ 3 hours after she checks in.

However, if her children are very young I would consider gate checking the stroller rather than checking it through. This way she will have it at both airports including getting to the DME checkin from the arrival gate. I travel alone with my dd's often and when they were toddlers the stroller was a lifesaver

The phrase participating airline confuses folks but it dosen't matter on the inbound flight - everyone gets luggage delivery unless they arrive after 10pm.

DME has also streamlined the check in process, if your reservation is in order you may not have to stop at the desk. CM's will be on hand to instruct your friend to the correct line or to bypass it and go directly to the "red carpet".

 

[BlueFairy]

Yes, even with SWA anything she tags with the yellow DME tags will be delivered to her resort room @ 3 hours after she checks in.

However, if her children are very young I would consider gate checking the stroller rather than checking it through. This way she will have it at both airports including getting to the DME checkin from the arrival gate. I travel alone with my dd's often and when they were toddlers the stroller was a lifesaver

The phrase participating airline confuses folks but it dosen't matter on the inbound flight - everyone gets luggage delivery unless they arrive after 10pm.

DME has also streamlined the check in process, if your reservation is in order you may not have to stop at the desk. CM's will be on hand to instruct your friend to the correct line or to bypass it and go directly to the "red carpet".

She is experienced with air travel with them, so I think she will know to gate-check the stroller. She has also done ME, so she will know where to go to get in line or see a CM. I just wasn't sure about the luggage.

 

[tjmw2727]

She is experienced with air travel with them, so I think she will know to gate-check the stroller. She has also done ME, so she will know where to go to get in line or see a CM. I just wasn't sure about the luggage.

Ok sorry to offer TMI.

I read your last sentence - is there a way to make it easier for her while traveling alone with the kids and I offered advice I thought would help.

Short answer is yes. Everyone using DME prior to 10pm can use the luggage delivery service regardless of airline.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I usually fly SW and have always used ME, no problem. I got the luggage tags a few weeks before my trip and when I handed them over at my home airport, I did not see them again until they were in my room!!
I do not think that the resort will arrange for the bags to be transferred to SW when leaving, however. I don't think SW is a participating airline for that. We had to have them loaded onto the ME bus and then take them to the SW counter at Orlando Airport.

If they are staying at POP, they do participate w/ RAC for SW for the way home. I am staying at POP soon and inquired as to the status of this as it was a 'pilot or trial program'. It has gone so well, for all intents and purposes it is now permanent (as much as anything in WDW is permanent). They also will be expanding this SW RAC to the All Stars in the not so distant future. but no plans to expand beyond that. HTH.

 

[BlueFairy]

Ok sorry to offer TMI.

I read your last sentence - is there a way to make it easier for her while traveling alone with the kids and I offered advice I thought would help.

Short answer is yes. Everyone using DME prior to 10pm can use the luggage delivery service regardless of airline.

Not TMI - I was just responding to what you provided. I think anyone would find it helpful. Thanks for the input.